‘Godfather of Harlem’ Is Ending – Here’s How the Series Will Say Goodbye

The Forest Whitaker-led Godfather of Harlem will not get a fifth season. Instead, the hit crime drama will conclude with a two-hour finale.

After describing the series as a “defining jewel” of the MGM+ original programming slate, global head Michael Wright announced the streamer opted to greenlight a final two-hour episode instead of a full season.

“We are deeply proud to give Godfather of Harlem the sendoff it deserves — a two-hour finale that honors the ambition, craft, and emotional power the creative team and cast have brought to this series from day one,” Wright said in a July 1 press release.

Related: ‘Godfather of Harlem’ Season 4 Follows Bumpy Johnson ‘Ramping Up’ for War

Whitaker will return to star in and executive produce the finale, which begins production this month in New York City.

“Playing Bumpy Johnson has been one of the greatest experiences of my career,” the Oscar winner said in a statement. “This character, this story, and this ensemble have allowed me to explore the complexity of a man caught between ambition, loyalty, and survival.”

The drama series about real-life crime boss Bumpy Johnson’s battles with the violent Genovese family is produced by 20th Television.

Chris Brancato (Narcos) and the late Paul Eckstein (Narcos) co-created the series. The drama premiered in September 2019 on Epix, which later became MGM+.

“I’m grateful to MGM+, 20th Television, and our talented cast and crew for the opportunity to complete Bumpy Johnson’s extraordinary journey,” said Brancato.

News of the cancellation comes one year after season 4 ended in June 2025.

The season followed Bumpy trying to go legitimate, but facing new challenges with the arrival of gangster Frank Lucas in New York City, and pushback from the Italian Mafia.

After an attack on his family, Bumpy teamed up with unlikely allies — including the Black Panthers — to retaliate against power-hungry mafioso Joe Colombo. Let’s just say things did not go well for Colombo.

The two-hour series finale will pick up with Bumpy facing “the ultimate reckoning as the walls close in around his empire,” according to MGM+.

“With enemies converging from every direction — political, criminal, and personal — Bumpy must draw on every alliance, every sacrifice, and every hard lesson… to protect what he has built and the people he loves,” the official description reads.

The confirmed returning cast includes Ilfenesh Hadera, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Erik LaRay Harvey, and Rome Flynn.

In addition to Brancato and Whitaker, executive producers are Michael Panes, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, and Markuann Smith. Swizz Beatz serves as executive music producer.

Guest stars and a premiere date for the two-hour finale will be announced later.